Summary - Mental Capacity Act |
The whole Act is underpinned by a set of five principles
set out in Section 1 of the Act:
They are summarised
below: | |
- A presumption of capacity - every adult
has the right to make his or her own decisions and must be assumed
to have capacity to do so unless it is proved
otherwise.
- The right for individuals to be supported to make their
own decisions - people must be given all appropriate help before
anyone can conclude that they cannot make their own
decisions.
- - people must be given all appropriate
help before anyone can conclude that they cannot make their own
decisions.
- Individuals must retain the right to make what might be
considered as eccentric or unwise decisions.
- Best interests - anything done for a person
without capacity must be done in their best interests.
- Least restrictive option - anything done for
or on behalf of people without capacity should be the least
restrictive to their basic rights and freedom.
Return to the main page on the
Mental Capacity
Act
| |
 |
| Please note - Some documents published before
1st December 2006 may contain incorrect contact
numbers. |
|